Israeli settlers and others enjoy a day at a spring in the Jordan Valley during Israel's Independence Day, in Auja, in the occupied West Bank, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Israeli soldiers look on as Israeli settlers and others enjoy a day at a spring in the Jordan Valley during Israel's Independence Day, in Auja, in the occupied West Bank, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.(AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Israeli settlers and others enjoy a day at a spring in the Jordan Valley during Israel's Independence Day, in Auja, in the occupied West Bank, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.(AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Two boys slide down into a spring as Israeli settlers and others enjoy a day in the Jordan Valley during Israel's Independence Day, in Auja, in the occupied West Bank, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.(AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
A man slides down into a spring as Israeli settlers and others enjoy a day in the Jordan Valley during Israel's Independence Day, in Auja, in the occupied West Bank, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.(AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
An Israeli soldier stands as Israeli settlers and others enjoy a day at a spring in the Jordan Valley during Israel's Independence Day, in Auja, in the occupied West Bank, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.(AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Israelis enjoy a day at a spring in Auja, in the Jordan Valley, during Israel's Independence Day on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in the occupied West Bank. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Israelis enjoy a day at a spring in Auja, in the Jordan Valley, during Israel's Independence Day on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in the occupied West Bank. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Soldiers stand guard while Israelis enjoy a day at a spring in Auja, in the Jordan Valley, during Israel's Independence Day on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in the occupied West Bank. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Israelis enjoy a day at a spring in Auja, in the Jordan Valley, during Israel's Independence Day on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in the occupied West Bank. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Audio By Carbonatix
11:59 AM on Wednesday, April 22
By OHAD ZWIGENBERG
AUJA, West Bank (AP) — Israeli settlers and other Israelis gathered at a spring in the occupied West Bank to celebrate their country’s Independence Day with hours of swimming and picnicking. The afternoon of leisure in the community of Auja contrasted sharply with recent violence and displacement of Palestinians in the Jordan Valley. Parts of the spring have been developed as recreational areas used largely by Israelis, a reminder of tensions over water in the West Bank, where Palestinians have limited supply while Israeli settlements enjoy far greater access. Israeli soldiers watched over the festivities Wednesday. Residents gathered under a flag bearing the photo of a 21-year-old Israeli man killed by Hamas gunmen during an attack in June 2023. This year has seen ongoing attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians, including the forced displacement of 600 people from a nearby community in January.
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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
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